73rd Annual NBA All-Star Game Breaks Scoring Record
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind – Tyrese Haliburton and Damian Lillard led the way for Team East in the 211-186 victory.
For the first time since 2017, the NBA went back to its East vs West format, and it caused an influx of three-point attempts (168).
A lack of defense mixed with 168 attempts from deep, left a final score of 211-186. That equals a combined 397 points, making it the most points scored in the history of NBA All-Star games.
Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers took full advantage from beyond the arc. In the opening four minutes of play, the NBA's leader in assist made five straight from downtown, giving the East a 20-14 lead.
At the end of the night, Haliburton finished with 32 points on 10 made threes.
"Just kept shooting till I missed. But I think just having fun, playing basketball. I didn't know how many minutes I was gonna play, and didn't know how my leg would feel, but it felt good today. Even after the one leg dunk, so that's positive for me. I mean obviously it wasn't high intensity at all, but it feels good that I felt good, and hopefully that can continue moving forward." Haliburton said.
Leading the way for the East and the MVP of the 73rd annual NBA All-Star game was Damian Lillard of the Milwaukee Bucks. Lillard went 11-14 from three-point range for 39 points. It's to say, his success as the winner in the three-point contest on Saturday night carried over to the main event.
"We just got to keep shooting the ball. You know, I think in a game like this, it's gonna be pretty loose. You gonna get your opportunities. Being in the starting lineup, I knew I would play longer stretches, get more minutes, and I just told myself I'm gonna be aggressive, and keep firing. I saw a couple go in, and after that it was just like I'm going after it." Lillard said.
It was a rough go for the West. A limited LeBron James, baby sitting an ankle injury that took place before the All-star break, in his 20th NBA All-Star selection.
Nevertheless, there was plenty of shots to go around due to the lack of defense and Karl-Anthony Towns saw an opportunity, scoring 50 points for the West.